Arsene Wenger believes Santi Cazorla’s return to goalscoring form has lifted a “heavy weight” off the Spaniard’s shoulders.

Cazorla celebrated his 30th birthday last weekend with a brace in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Newcastle to follow on from his successful spot-kick in the Gunners’ defeat at Stoke in their previous Premier League outing.

Those three goals were Cazorla’s first since August’s Community Shield win over Manchester City and Wenger believes the long wait had affected his form. “Santi had run after a goal for a long time,” the Arsenal manager said. “He scored a penalty at Stoke and then two on Saturday. He didn’t score for a long time and it had a heavy weight on his confidence. On Saturday he scored two good goals.”

Arsenal v Newcastle United: Player Ratings

Arsenal v Newcastle United: Player Ratings

1/22
Wojciech Szczesny: 7

Returned to the team and made an excellent double save in the first half.

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2/22
Hector Bellerin: 8

An impressive and energetic display at right-back, he had a hand in both the first and third Arsenal goals.

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3/22
Mathieu Debuchy: 7

Put in an admirable performance as a makeshift centre-back against his former club.

4/22
Per Mertesacker: 7

Solid at the back, only the woodwork denied him the opening goal of the night.

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5/22
Kieran Gibbs: 7

Strong defensively, he also showed a willingness to get forward all game.

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6/22
Mathieu Flamini: 6

Had a relatively easy evening in dealing with Newcastle's attacking play.

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7/22
Santi Cazorla: 8

A stylish performed in midfield, epitomised by his two cool finishes.

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8/22
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 6

Always enthusiastic, he made a couple of rash decisions when his teammates were well-placed.

9/22
Alexis Sanchez: 9

Another excellent performance. He was at the heart of all of Arsenal's good play, setting up the first two goals of the evening.

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10/22
Danny Welbeck: 7

A mixed evening for the striker; he worked hard and won a penalty, but had a lovely goal ruled out for a foul and made some poor decisions with the ball.

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11/22
Olivier Giroud: 8

Olivier Giroud: Two brilliant finishes from the striker, Arsenal look a much stronger proposition with the Frenchman in the team.

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12/22
Jak Alnwick: 6

The rookie goalkeeper had little chance with any of the four goals conceded.

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13/22
Daryl Janmaat: 6

A frustrating night was capped with a booking that will see him serve a one-match suspension.

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14/22
Mike Williamson: 5

Gave everything , but was caught out on too many occasions.

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15/22
Fabricio Coloccini: 5

A difficult evening for the Newcastle captain, who was dominated in the air by Giroud.

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16/22
Paul Dummett: 5

Struggled with the pace and movement of Arsenal's forwards, eventually giving away an injury time penalty.

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17/22
Cheick Tiote: 4

Fortunate not to see red for an awful challenge on Sanchez five minutes into the game.

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18/22
Jack Colback: 6

His passing was unusually poor at times, but his set-pieces remained a threat.

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19/22
Yoan Gouffran: 5

Was kept quiet as an attacking force by Bellerin.

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20/22
Ayoze Perez: 6

Anonymous for long periods, but yet again demonstrated a natural talent for finishing.

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21/22
Sammy Ameobi: 5

Worked hard without reward before his removal for Cabella.

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22/22
Papiss Cisse: 4

Missed a guilt-edged opportunity to equalise in the first half.

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Wenger has given his players three days off to spend with their families before returning to London Colney on Wednesday morning to begin preparations for Sunday’s trip to Liverpool. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a doubt after sustaining a groin injury towards the end of Saturday’s game although the club are confident he will be fit to play some part at Anfield. Calum Chambers will be available again after a one-match suspension.